SANGUEM: The Netravali villagers have demanded the immediate deputation of a medical attendant for 108 ambulance service in the village, 24×7.
The Sanguem taluka which is spread across five panchayats and a municipality is provided with only one 108 ambulance service and the same is stationed at Netravali village.
However, an incident which took place in the village a couple of days ago exposed the non-availability of medical attendant at the 108 ambulance service during the night.
Villagers informed that a woman from Jakem ward of Neturlim village complained of chest pain late at night, as such, some villagers rushed to call the ambulance for shifting the patient to the nearest health centre for treatment.
However, on reaching the 108 ambulance service, the villagers were informed by the driver that no medical attendant was provided for the ambulance during the night. The villagers then called 108 from the Curchorem centre which is located almost 35 kilometres from the village.
However, before the arrival of the ambulance from the Curchorem centre, the lady reportedly breathed her last.
Deputy Sarpanch Abhijit Desai claimed that had the woman been provided timely first aid, her life could have been saved. Desai also criticised the government for not providing 24-hour medical attendant at the 108 ambulance service in the village and urged for immediate deputation of the same.
